Folkways are social norms that define and guide behavior in society. They are learned behaviors shared by a social group that provide a traditional mode of conduct. Folkways are social conventions that are not considered to be of moral significance by members of the group. They are informal rules and norms that, while not offensive to violate, are expected to be followed/03%3A_Culture/3.02%3A_The_Symbolic_Nature_of_Culture/3.2J%3A_Folkways_and_Mores). Folkways operate primarily at an unconscious level and persist because they are expedient. They tend to group themselves around major social concerns, such as sex, forming social institutions like the family. Folkways are behaviors that are learned and shared by a social group that are not morally significant, but they can be important for social acceptance. Folkways dictate what could be considered either polite or rude behavior/03%3A_Culture/3.02%3A_The_Symbolic_Nature_of_Culture/3.2J%3A_Folkways_and_Mores). Their violation does not invite any punishment or sanctions, but may come with reprimands or warnings/03%3A_Culture/3.02%3A_The_Symbolic_Nature_of_Culture/3.2J%3A_Folkways_and_Mores). Tradition, habit, and religious sanctions tend to strengthen folkways as time passes, making them more and more arbitrary, positive, and compelling. Some folkways become mores when they become ethical principles, the behaviors considered essential to the welfare of the society. Mores are more coercive than folkways: relatively mild disapproval follows an infringement of a folkway, while severe disapproval or punishment follows the breaking of mores.